The further the train took us away from the city, the greener and clearer the landscape became. Sometimes living in central Melbourne causes you to disconnect with nature for the majority of your time, which is why camp was such a rewarding and beautiful experience. The various hikes we went on showcased the grandeur of the Grampians in such spectacular ways.
I actually had an amazing time on the Great Trail. Although 25 km certainly sounded daunting and seeing the cliffs in all their extremely rocky and steep glory was terrifying, we were advised to not overthink it and to just keep going. We spent most of our time inside a cloud, with the shadows of the trees and rocks around us amplified and cast into striking shadows. It was such a surreal and unique place to be, and allowed me to centre my thoughts and just focus on the present, which is something I think most people often forget to do. I feel that the energy absorbed by being in nature is the most effective way to put thoughts and emotions into perspective, and to be grateful for the world that we live in.
It wasn't all lovely thoughts and scenery, though. Certain areas were just pure uphill rock faces, sometimes with minimal places to grip, which sent everyone into a bit of a panic. However the most panic provoking sections for me were the rock tunnels. I find it really difficult to stay calm in enclosed spaces, and at one point I just started hyperventilating. This and a run-in with some thistles while sliding down a hill were definitely challenging, but I'm so glad I just got through them and kept going. By the time we reached the lookout and our guide gave us a beautiful speech about perspective and living in the moment, I was so exhausted and delirious I just started bawling my eyes out. Then, the walk back towards camp passed through some very Sound of Music-esque fields home to numerous kangaroos and deer, which was a beautiful way to end the journey.
At one point Lucinda and I discovered a serene and tranquil clearing behind the cabins with a stream running through it, where we could inhale air free of pollution and just be. Galileo camp reminded me how much I love to be around nature and has reminded me to take time to be in natural spaces whenever I have the chance.
Camp was also such a beautiful time to be around friends. Whether playing poker in our cabins or singing gospel songs at the dinner table, something about the landscape provided the perfect backdrop for telling stories and having endless deep conversations. We honestly had a blast and were even inspired to start planning gap years together for the near future.
